Machine for operating upon soles



1m 22, 1937. N. H. KNOWLTON' 2,084,348

MACHINE FOR OPERATING UPON SOL-ES Filed Oct. 15, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet lJune 22, 1937. N. H. KNOWLTON 2,084,343

MACHINE FOR OPERATING UPON SOLES '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 15, 1935June 22, 1937.

N. H. KNOWLTON 2,084,348 MAGHINE FOR OPERATING UPON SOLES Filed Oct. 15,1935 7 Sheets-Shem; 4

MACHINE FOR OPERATING UPON SOLES Filed Oct. 15, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 5'12 92 w m mfg 70F;

June 22, 1937. N. H. KNOWLTON' I MACHINE FOR OPERATING UPON SOLES FiledOct. 15, 1955 7 sheets-sheaf 6 June 22, 1937. N. H. KNOWLTON 2,084,343

MACHINE FOR OPERATING UPON SOLES Filed Oct. 15, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 vl ig yvf/v 70/1 Patented June 22, 1937 aa ns PAT? 1 MACHENE FOROPERATING UPON some Application October 15, 1935, Serial No. 45,110

14 Claims.

This inventionrelates to improvements in machines for operating uponsoles and is herein illustrated as embodied in a channeling machine ofthe type in which the marginal portion of a sole is advancedcontinuously past operating tools by means of a work supporting feedwheel. These tools, which may comprise, for example, a channel knife anda grooving tool, are, in the illustrated machine, carried upon a headwhich is movable upwardly and downwardly in response to the thickness ofthe work, the operating tools being gaged from the upper surface of thework by a presser foot. The head is urged downwardly by a spring,causing the presser foot to remain in engagement with the work and alsoto press the work against a feed wheel. Machines of this type may beused for channeling and grooving outsoles for McKay sewed shoes.

The general object of the present invention is 20 to improve theconstruction of such machines for the purpose of making the machinesmore efficient and reliable in operation.

In accordance with a feature of the invention the head upon which theoperating tools of the illustrated machine are mounted is carried by anupper frame member which is detachable from the lower or principalportion of the frame of the machine, this upper frame member beingsecured fixedly upon the lower frame member in a desired position ofadjustment transversely of the direction in which the Work is fed. Suchprovision for the adjustment of the upper frame enables the position ofthe operating tools transversely of the direction of the feed to beconveniently determined.

In accordance with another feature of the invention the feed wheel isprovided with elongated teeth extending from its periphery, each of theteeth having a ridge which extends lengthwise of the tooth and which isconvex in longitudinal section. In the illustrated machine the teeth aredisposed obliquely to their path of movement. Teeth of such form notonly tend to urge the work transversely against the edge gage as it isbeing fed but also facilitate turning of the work about the more sharplycurved portions such as at the ball line or at the toe without tearingthe fibres of the material of the sole.

50 The invention further includes improvements in the generalorganization of machines of this type, improved means for supporting thegrooving instrumentality, and other features of construction andcombinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described, theadvantages of which will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of theimproved machine;

Fig. 2 is a view of the machine in front elevation;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in side elevation of the feeding mechanismand channeling knife of the improved machine;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view in side elevation of a portion of themachine;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of parts shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View in front elevation of a portion of themachine;

Fig. '7 is a view in front elevation of a portion of the drivingmechanism;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the guiding and feeding mechanism;

Fig. 9-is a sectionalview in side elevation of the guiding and feedingmechanism;

Fig. 10 is a sectional plan view of parts shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the support for the channeling knife;

Fig. 12 is an elevational view of the channeling knife; i

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the grooving knife and its support;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a portion of the structure shown inFig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a view in front elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of parts shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 17 is a longitudinal view of the grooving knife;

Fig. 18 is a plan View of the support for the grooving and channelingknives;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary View in front elevation of the feed wheel;

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a portion of the periphery of the feedwheel;

Fig. 21 is a transverse sectional view of one of the feed teeth taken atthe highest point of the tooth and at a right angle to the major axis ofthe tooth;

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of a feed wheel havinga different form of tooth;

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a portion of the periphery of the wheelshown in Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a sectional view in front elevation through the highest pointof one of the feed teeth of the wheel shown in Figs. 22 and 23;

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary view in front eleva- 7 "heightwise adjustableto enable the operatorto bring to-a convenient level the locality atwhich tion of a feed wheel having a third form of tooth; V 1 l Fig. 26isa .perspectiveview of a portion of the periphery of the wheel shown inFig.v 25;: and

r i Fig. 27 is a sectional View taken in a plane normal to the ridge ofone of the feed teeth shown in Figs. 25 and 26. V

The operating instrumentalities of the illus trated machine consists ofa knife ID for forming a channel in an outsole and a tubular knife I 2for forming the usual stitch-receiving groove at the root of the channellip. A toothed feed wheel l4 advances the sole past the channeling andgroov ing knives. A driven roll l6 engages the edge of the sole to gagethe sole relatively to the knives.

A pressure foot l8 holds the sole in firm engage-' v ment with the feedwheel'l4 and also controls. the heightwise position of the knivesrelatively.

to the sole.

a work bench.

in any desired position of heightwise adjustment a frame 24. The frame24carries the operating" instrumentalities above referred to, and it ismade the work is presented. Mounted directly up'o'n the frame 24 are ashelf 23 (Fig. 2 and guard plates25 and 21 for the feed wheel I 4.

The driving mechanism for the feed wheel [4 and gage roll I6 is carriedby the framef24 and comprises a pul1ey 26 adapted to be driven from any.suitable source of power and mounted for "free rotation upon astationary shaft 28 which is secured to the frame 24. Integral with thepulley 26 is a clutch disk 30. 7 Also mounted for free rotation upon theshaft 28 is a clutch memher comprisinga hub 32' carrying a disk 34 whichin the illustrated construction consists of'bakelite molded to provide arim 38 which enables the disk to be employed as a hand wheel when'it ,isdesired to turn the machine slowly byhand; A bearing 38 for "taking end.thrust from the hub 32 is carried by the frame 24. Secured upon the disk34 are a, plurality of leather clutch the clutch members:40. I

, When it is desired to start the machine running' members 40 which areengageable with the face of the clutch disk 30. A spring 42 normallyholds the face of the disk 30 out of engagement with the clutch disk 30.is brought into engagement 2 with the clutch members 40 by atreadle-operated mechanism comprising an idler roll 44 which exertsaxialpressure upon a'hub cap 46 of the pulley 26. 'The roll 44 is mounted inthe upper.

end of a lever 48 which is slotted to embrace '7 of the lever 50.

the upper end ofa lever 50. The lever. 48 is pivotally connectedto thelever 50 by a 11111 52.

Acompression spring 54 surrounds a pin '56 which is threaded into theupper end of the lever 50, the spring 54 being interposed between awasher 5'! abutting the head of the pin 56, and a washer 59. Thewasher59 engages'the lever 48 on each side of the slot formed therein totransmit the thrust" of the spring 54 into the lever 48. v The lever 48thus constitutes a yieldable extension 7 The elongation-of the'spring 54is limited by the engagement of the washer 59 with the lever 50. The psure of the spring 54 can'be adjusted as desired by turning the threadedpin 56. The lever 58 is fulcrum ed upon a pin 58 which may be clampedin. any desired position of heightwise adjustment in a" slot 6 I.

Thesupporting structure of the machine comprises a base plate ZBadaptedto be secured upon;

Integral with the plate 20 is a vertical guideway- 22 in which maybelsecured ally extending depressions and projections 10 adapted tointermesh. Adjustmentis effected by formed in a bracket 60 secured tothe base plate.

The pin 58 is adjusted up or down in the slot 6| to bring the roll 44into proper relation with the hub cap 46, the level of thehub 'cap 26depending upon the heightwise adjustment of the frame 24. A stop screw62 threaded in the lever 50 adjustably limits the outward movement ofthe lever 50-by engaging a afinge.64 of the bracket 60. As shown in Fig.1, the flange 64 extends vertically so as to be engageable with the stopscrew 62 regardless of the heightwise adjust free end to. the upper'endof a treadle rod 12. In I order to compensate for the heightwiseadjustment of the fulcrum pin 58, the arm 66 may be adjusted relativelyto .the lever 50. To provide for such adjustment the arm 66 and thelever 50 are pivotallyconnected to 'eachfother bya pin 68, the arm andthe, lever each having a hub,

which hubs are provided, respectively,'vvith radiloosening the pin 68,separating theptwo hubs,

rotating the arm 66 to bring its free end tQ the desired level, and'thentightening the pin 58 to! bring the two hubs into clamping position. The

lower end of the treadle rod 12 is connected to a treadle-M. A spring 16secured at one'end to the arm 65 and at its opposite end to the work.

bench serves to hold the arm 66 andthe treadle 14 normally in upwardposition withthe clutch disk of the driving pulle y out of engagementwith I -:the clutch members 40. 1 e

' The treadle 14 controls the'starting and stop ping of the machine.Depression of this treadle rotates the lever 50 in a counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in Figfl, and, through thespring 54, causestherroll 44 to bear yieldingly against the hub cap 46 and bringthdclutch disk 30 into' engagement with the clutch mem- V bers 40. Aspring-pressed latch '11 relieves the operator of having tohold down thetreadle duringthe operation. It will be noted that'the pressure betweenthe clutch members 40 and the disk 3!] depends upon the adjustment ofthe spring 54. Thefpressure of the spring 54'should be so adjusted as toenable the clutch members to drive without slipping when a sole is'beingoperated upon. However, the pressure of the spring 54 should be onlyslightly in excess'of what is necessary, so that the operator can atonce slow down or stop the machine by grasping the rim 36.. Manualcontrol in this manner is frequently moreconvenient than handfeedingwith the clutch members disengaged.

The drive is transmitted from the hub 32 through-a gear18 which issecuredupon the hub 32 and which meshes with an ldlergear (Fig.

7) mounted upon a stud-'82 secured in the frame 24. The idler gear 80drives a gear 84' which is fixed upon a shaft 85 by a set screw 88. 7Because of the idler gear 80, the; direction of rotation of the handwheel .34 will be the same as that of the 1 feed wheel I4, anarrangementwhich facilitates a manual drive or manual control of thedrive.

V The shaft 86 is journaled in the frame and V V has an end extendingoutside the frame upon which there is secured by a set screw 89 a hub 90(Fig. '3) The hub 90 carries a beveled gear92. Secured by screws- 94 tothe outer face of the gear 92 is the feed wheel l4. One or more spacingmembers 96 may beinterposed between the feed wheel I4 and the gear 92.Secured upon the shaft 86 is a collar 98 (Fig. 1) against which bearsone end of a compression spring I which surrounds the shaft 86. Theopposite end of the I; spring I00 bears against a portion of the frame24, the spring thereby tending to urge the shaft 86 and the feed wheeloutwardly or to the left, as viewed in Fig. 1. The limit of such outwardmovement is determined by mechanism, later to be described, whichoperates upon the gear 84 through a washer I02 which is secured upon theface of the gear to take the wear.

The arrangements for supporting and driving the edge gage roll I6 willnow be described. Formed in the frame 24 is a guideway I04 (Fig. 9) fora slide block I06 which is free to move in a direction parallel to theshaft 86. Secured in the outer end of the block I06 by a set screw I88is a sleeve I I0 upon which is rotatably mounted a beveled gear II2adapted to mesh with the gear e2. The gage roll I6 is threaded upon thehub of the gear Iii. against a spacing washer I I4 of desired thickness.A hub cap H6 is countersunk into and soldered to the upper end of thehub of the gear H2. A pin IIB having a rounded head I20 which rests uponthe upper surface of the cap W5 extends downwardly through the cap H6and through the sleeve IIO. Clampecl upon the lower end of the pin H8 bya set screw I22 is an L-shaped block I24 having a flange I25 whichextends upwardly into a slot I28 formed in the outer end portion of theslide block I06. The purpose of the flange I25 is to prevent turning ofthe pin IIB with the gear H2. Surrounding the pin I I8 and housed withinthe sleeve IE0 and interposed between the cap I I6 and a shoulder on thesleeve H0 is a compression spring I30 which tends to raise the gear H2and the gage roll I4 relatively to the sleeve H0 and the slide blockI06. The height to which the gage roll I6 may rise under the influenceof the spring I30 is controlled by a foot I32 for a purpose which willlater be described. The head I20 serves as a bearing for the foot I32and also, in combination with the pin H0 and the block I24, as a stopfor limiting the upward movement of the gage wheel It. A guard I34(Figs. 3 and 8) extends into the space between the upper portion of thefeed roll I4 and the forward portion of the gage roll it to prevent thework piece from being caught between these two wheels. The guard I34 issecured to the slide block I06 by a set screw The slide block I05 isretained in the guideway I04 by a cover plate I38 (Fig. 3) in which isformed a slot I40 to accommodate a pin I42 which extends into the slideblock and which serves as a means for urging the slide block inwardly ortoward the right, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 9, for a purpose which willlater be described. Threaded into the slide block and extending parallelto the shaft 85 is a rod I44, having a capstan head I46 (Fig. 1) inwhich are formed holes I48 to accommodate a tool for turning the rod I44to adjust it 5 longitudinally with respect to the block I06. The rod54.5 is retained in adjusted position relatively to the block I06 by aset screw I55. The rod N54 is slidably retained within a lug I52extending from the frame 24. A coil spring I54 surrounds the rod I44,having one end abutting against the lug I52 and its opposite endabutting against the slide block I06 to urge the slide block outwardlyor toward the left as viewed in Figs. 1 and 9. The shoulder which occursat the junction of the head I45 with the rod I44 bears against theopposite surface of the lug I52 to limit the outward movement of the rodI44 and thereby of the gage roll I6. The end of the head I46 bearsagainst the washer I02 and thus determines the outward position of theshaft 86 and the feed wheel I4 under the influence of the spring I00.

Fulcrumed upon a pin I50 which is secured in the frame 24 is abell-crank lever, one arm I53 of which is connected to a treadle rod I60and the other arm IIIZ of which is engageable with the pin I42. Thelower end of the rod I60 is secured to a treadle I64. Extending from thearm IE8 is a lug I60 through which is threaded a stop screw I58 the endof which bears against a stationary lug I10 extending from the frame 24to limit the movement of the bell-crank comprising the arms I58 and I62.Upon depression of the treadle I54 the arm I62 will urge the pin I42inwardly or toward the right, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 9, against thepressure of the spring I54.

I This will move the gage roll It inwardly and also by reason of thefact that the head I46 bears against the washer I02 will cause the shaft86 to be moved inwardly carrying with it the feed wheel I4. The innerposition assumed by the feed wheel I4 and the gage wheel l6 upondepression of the treadle I64 is determined by the adjustment of thestop screw I58. The proper positioning of the gears $2 and H2 relativelyto each other is obtained by loosening the set screw I I50 and turningthe head I4 to adjust the gage roll inwardly or outwardly with respectto the rod I44. The pressures of the springs I00 and I54 normaily holdthe feed wheel and the gageroll respectively in their outermostpositions with the treadle I554 up. The normal position (i. e. theposition when the treadle is up) of the gear 84 is always the same beingdetermined by the capstan head I45 which bears against the fixed lugI52. The feed wheel I4, however, may be adjusted inwardly or outwardlyupon the shaft 86 by loosening the set screw 89. The spring Idfi isrelatively light to avoid excessive wear between the washer W2 and thecapstan head I46.

Detachably mounted upon the upper portion of the frame 24 is a frameI772. Threaded into the frame I'IZ (Fig. 6) is a clamping screw I'Ifihaving a inged head I15 and having also a flange H8 fer exertingclamping pressure against two spaced lugs I extending upwardly from theframe 24. The frame IIE has a finished surface I82 which is adapted toenter into clamping engagement with the opposite surfaces of the lugsI80 upon tightening of the screw M4 to hold the frame I'IZ securelyclamped upon the frame 2d. The lugs Hill are undercut, as indicated bythe numeral I83 on Fig. 6, to hold the frame I'IZ more securely inposition. The frame I12 can readily be detached from the frame 24 byloosening the screw II4 sufliciently to enable the surface I82 to bewithdrawn from beneath the undercut surfaces ISS. An inward and outwardadjustment for the frame II! is obtained by loosening the screw I'M andsliding the frame Ill! inwardly or outwardly to the desired position. Inorder to facilitate such adjustment a screw W4 having a capstan head IE6is threaded into a lug I83 extending from the frame I'IZ. A groove I99is formed in the head I35 and is engaged by a stationary member I02secured by a sore-w I93 in one of the lugs IBII. Turning of the head I36while the clamping screw IE4 is loosened will adjust the frame I'l2inwardly or outwardly, and when the desired adjustment has been effectedthe screw I84 is clamped by a set screw I94.

adjustment of the screw 84 changed,

The clamping screw H4: is then tightened. The

frame H2 can thus alway's be replaced in its adjusted position upon theframe Mas-long as the retained in engagement with the frame I12 by aguide i tlFig. 1.8). Fulcrumed upon a pin 2&6 secured in the frame H2 isa lever 208 having formed in it acup-shaped depression 210.

2E2 having a knurled head 2M; Surrounding the screw 2l2 and interposedbetween the head 214 and the bottom surface of the depression 2 I it isa compression spring Zit; Interpo-sed between'depressions'formedrespectively in the under suruface of the outer end portion of thelever2% and the upper surface of the head202 isra' strut 2E8. The pressureof,the spring 2l6 acting through the strut 2!8 urges the head 202downwardly as far as permitted by a' stop screw 220 ,(Fig. 4) which isthreaded through a lug 222 extending from the lever 200. The end of thestop 5 screw 220 bearsagainst the upper surface of the arm. Hit. Thescrew 220 isprovided with a knurled'head 224.

hold the screw 220 against accidental turning,

thereby retaining it in a position of desired adjustment. a e

The mounting of the 'presser'foot' l8 in the head 202 will now bedescribed. Guided for movement in Vertical adjustment in'a rectangularnotch in the head 202 is a block 228 (Figs. 1 and 2) of rectangularcross section. The block 228 is secured to the head 202 by a clamping.

screw which passesthrough a vertical slot in'the block 2253. In thelower portion of the block 228 is formed a horizontal guideway'in whichthe presse'r foot I8 is slidablymlountcd for horizontal "of the work.The presser foot is secured in its screw 235 is threaded into the block228.

adjusted-position relatively to the block 208 by a clamping screw 232which passes through a horizontal slot in the presser foot l8; In orderto facilitate vertical adjustment of the presser foot is relatively tothe head 202 an adjusting screw 234 has a knurled head236. A collar 238integral withithe shank portion of the screw 234 tively to the head 202.

head will, therefore, serve. to raise or lower engages a notch formed inthe head 202 to hold the screw 254, against vertical movement rela-Turning of the knurled the presser'foot IB. The lower portion ofthepresser foot H? has a smooth surface which rides upon the. upper surfaceof the work 'piece and which is rounded off, as indicated'by the'reterence character 240 on Fig. 2; to accommodate the advancing workpiece. j

. Thepresser foot l8, as has already been mentionecl, rests upon thework piece, and its pres sureuponi the work piece represents not onlythe f has not been 7 Ex- 7 tending through the lower wall of thedepression 25c and threaded into the frame I12 isascrew Surrounding thescrew 220 I V and interposed between the head" 2-24 and the lug a is acompression spring 226 which serves to adjustment in the direction offeed The total Weight of the head 202' and all tamarri ed thereby butalso the force of the spring U6. The stop screw 220, which serves tokeep the through the machine, is adjusted to enable the presser foot toapproach the feed'roll I4 more closely than the minimum thickness of thework which is to be treated; During the passage'of Work the heightwiseposition of the channeling channeling and grooving knives out of contactp with the feed roll l4 when no work is passing knives. will bedetermined'bya the presser foot I I8 and not by the stop screw 220. i

The head 202 may be raised by a treadle mocha; nis m comprisng a lever242 (Figs. 1 and 4) which 7 is fulcrumed upon a pin 244 secured in theframe 24. extending downwardly from the arm 200. Secured to the oppositeend of the lever 242 is a. rod 240 the lower end of which is secured toa treadle 250. The depression of the treadle 250 will thus operate toraise the head 202. When the. channeling cut is to begin at one side ofthe heel end of a sole and terminate at theother side of the heel end itis unnecessary to raise the head 202 inasmuch as the feed wheel willcarry the sole under the presser foot, and the head will yield One endof the lever 242 engages 9, lug 246' upwardly according to the thicknessof the "sole.

However, in many types of work the channeling cut begins and terminatesat localities between the ends of the sole, for example, at theheelbreast line. In such cases the sole is introduced between the presserfoot and the reed wheel with i the head raised the head being'rloweredto bring the knives into operating position at the locality at'which thechannel is to begin, and being'r'aised again when the knives havereached the locality at which the channel is to terminate.

'The arrangements whereby the channeling knife i 0 is'secured in thehead 202 will now be described. Slidably mounted in a vertical guidewayformed in the head 202 and retained therein by a cover plate 25| (Figs.3and 18) is a slide block 252. Threaded into the upper portion of theblock 252 is an adjusting screw 254 havinga square'head 255. The upperportion of the shank of the screw 252 is smooth and passes through a'bore in a lug 256 extending from the head 202; A collar 258 upon thescrew 254 bears against the upper surface of the lug 256 prevent;

ing downward movement/of the screw 254. Surrounding the screw; 254 andinterposed between the under surface of, the lug 256 and theuppersurface of the block-252 is compression spring 260 which exerts adownward-thrust upon the- 7 block 252 to maintain the block'yieldinglyin a position of adjustment-determined by the screw 254. Formed in thelower portion of the block 252 is an arcuate guideway 262' (Fig-L11) inwhich is slidably mounted a block 264. The block I 250'is secured in adesired position of a'ng'ular adjustment in the 'guideway 262 by aclamping bolt 265 (Fig.3) which isthreaded into. the. a

block 264 and which passes through a slot in the block 252. The undersurface of the block 264 is formed to constitute a horizontal guidewayparallel to the: direction of feed ofthe work for. a

block 268 which is secured in adjusted position fto the block 254 by aclamping bolt 210. A slot 272 parallel to the direction of feed of thework is formed in the block 268. to accommodate the bolt 21! for variouspositions of adjustment.

cated by the numeral 214, of the channeljknife $6. The shank214 isclamped in'a desired poj Formed in theblock 268, as shown in Figsfll andf l2, is a guideway for the shank portion; indiclearance.

sition of adjustment of the knife ID by a set screw 216. In order toinsure that when the knife I6 is removed for grinding, or for any otherreason, it may readily be replaced in the position of its formeradjustment, a stop 218 is secured to the block 268 by a clamping screw286. The screw 286 passes through a slot formed in the stop 218 andextending in a direction parallel to the guideway for the shank 214. Thestop 218 has a flange 282 which overhangs the end of the shank 214 andthereby definitely limits the extent to which it can be inserted in theguideway upon replacement of the knife. The stop 218 may be clamped inany desired position by the screw 263 to determine the adjustment of theknife I6.

The elevation of the channeling knife relatively to that of the presserfoot determines the heightwise position of the channeling cut, and maybe varied as desired by adjustment of the screw 254. The inclination ofthe channeling cut is determined by the adjustment of the block 264 inthe arcuate guideway 262. Adjustment of the inclination of thechanneling cut does not vary the level, relatively to the thickness ofthe sole, of the point at which the knife I6 enters the edge of thesole, because the center of the arcuate guideway 262 is taken about thatpoint, which is slightly higher than the upper edge of the periphery ofthe edge gage wheel I6. The block 268 is adjusted in its horizontalguideway to bring the cutting edge of the knife II] as close as possibleto the presser foot I8, the block being advanced each time the knife isground to keep the edge close to the presser foot. No adjustment of theknife l6 transversely of the direction of feed is ordinarily made. Suchadjustment, however, can be effected by adjusting the position of theframe I'l2 by means of the screw I84.

Secured by a pair of screws 284 (Fig. 3) to the knife slide block 252 isa block 266 (Figs. 3 and 8) having a vertical guideway in which issecured the foot I32. An adjusting screw 288 having a knurled head 296is threaded into the block 286. The upper and lower faces of the head293 engage the walls of a notch formed in the foot I32, therebydetermining the position of heighthwise adjustment of the latter. Aclamping screw 292 passing through a vertical slot in the block 286clamps the foot I32 to the block. The height of the edge gage roll I6,as has already been pointed out, is determined by the foot I32. Thereason for such control over the height of the edge gage roll is toenable the roll to rise and fall in unison with the head 202 toaccommodate varying thicknesses of the soles being operated upon,including local variations of thickness in a single sole. Relativelythick soles thus have an abutment of corresponding height, which avoidsany tendency of such thick soles to slide over the top of the gage I6.The height of the gage I6, on the other hand, is strictly limited by thesmall but necessary clearance for the channeling knife I0. Theadjustment of the height of the block 286 by the screw 288 should besuch as just to provide this Since the foot I32 is carried by thechanneling knife block 252, heightwise adjustment of the latter will notaffect the clearance between the channeling knife and the gage roll.

The grooving knife I2 is mounted in the head 202 by means which will nowbe described. Slidably mounted for vertical movement in a guidewayformed in the head 262 is a block294 (Figs. 4 and 18). A cover plate 296retains the block 294 in its guideway. Threaded into the block 294 is anadjusting screw 298 having a head .300

and having also a collar 302 which is engageable with the upper andlower walls of a slot 304 formed in the lug 256 extending from the head202. A spring 368 embraces a peripheral groove formed in the head 30!!to prevent undesired turning of the screw 298. Surrounding the screw 298and interposed between the upper surface of the lug 336 and the lowerface of the block 294 is a compression spring 3| which exerts a downwardthrust upon the block 294 to retain the latter in a position ofadjustment with the collar 362 bearing against the lower wall of theslot 364. Formed in the lower portion of the block 294 is a horizontalguideway 3l2 which extends in the direction of the feed of the work.Slidably mounted in the guideway 3I2 is a block 3I4 (Figs. 4 and 13).through a horizontal slot 3I'I in the block 3M and threaded into theblock 294 secures the block M4 to the block 294. Threaded in the block3l4 is an adjusting screw 3l3 having a knurled head 323. The end of thescrew 3|8 bears against the block 294 and thereby determines theposition of horizontal adjustment of the block 3l4 relatively to theblock 294. The screw M8 is provided with a knurled lock nut 322. Uponthe lower portion of the block 3I4 is formed a guideway 324 (Fig. 15)upon which is slidably mounted a block 326. The guideway 324 extendstransversely to the direction of the feed of the work, and a clampingscrew 328 passing through a slot in the block 326 secures the block 326to the block 314. Formed in the under surface of the block 326 is anarcuate guideway in which is rotatably mounted a block 336 (Fig. 13)having an arcuate rib 332 which is slidable in the above-mentionedguideway. The block 330 is secured to the block 326 by a clamping screw334 threaded into the block 326 and passing through a slot in the block330. Retained within a bore in the block 330 is a draw bolt 336 (Figs.13, 14 and 16) having a tapered portion 338 (Fig. 16) which engages acomplementary tapered surface on the block 330 to lock the bolt 336against turning when a clamping nut 340 threaded upon the end of thebolt 336 and bearing against the block 333 is tightened. Integral withthe bolt 336 is a head 342. Slidably mounted in the head 342 is a shank344 upon which is secured the tubular grooving knife I2. In theillustrated construction the grooving knife I2 is welded to the shank344. The shank 344 is retained within its groove by a square washer 346which is held bya clamping screw 348 threaded into the head 342. It isunnecessary to adjust the shank 344 relatively to the block 342, and inorder to insure that the grooving knife will always be secured inthesame position relatively to the head 342, a finished surface 356 (Fig.13) is provided on the head 342. This finished surface 350 constitutes astop to limit the inward movement of the shank 344 by engagement withthe knife I2. Secured upon the head 342 by a screw 35I (Figs. 14 and 16)is a block 353. As shown in Fig. 14, the block 353 has a flange engaginga complemental surface of the head 342 to provide for sliding adjustmentof the block 353 parallel to the bolt 336. As also shown in Fig. 14, theblock 353 is slotted to accommodate the screw 35I for various positionsof adjustment. Secured upon the block 353 by a pair of screws 352 is aguide 354 for the thread of leather which is removed by the groovingknife. It will be noted that the angle of the grooving knife I2 canbeadjust'ed by loosening the screw 334 and A clamping screw 3I6extending Q rotating the block 330. The arcu'ate guideway for the block33il has its center approximately at the locality of the cutting edge ofthe grooving knife l2 sothat angular adjustment ofthe grooving knifewill not vary the position ofits'cuttingedge. In some types of work thestitch-receiving groove is omitted around the toe end of the sole 7 andthe illustrated machine is accordinglypro vided with a treadle-ope'ratedmechanism whereby the operator can discontinue. and resume the groove atwill. This mechanism comprises a lever;356 (Figs. 2 and 18) which isfulcrumed upon a pin 353 mounted on the arm 200. The

outer end of thelever 2561s connected tofla; treadle' rod 368, the lowerend'of which is-connected to a treadle 362.

The inner end of. the

lever 356is provided with a pair of spaced by the grooving knife 12.

slot 364, above referred to, is not only to deterears 364 which embracea pin 3 66, secured to the slide block 2554. Depression of the treadle362 will serve to raise the pin 366and there- The purpose of the minethe operating position of .thegrooving knife 12 under the influence ofthe spring 3l0, but

also to serve as an upper limit. to theimovement of the grooving knifeto prevent the grooving knife from being raised iar'enough. to engagethe; upperlip. This distance isrelatively slight and accordinglythe'slot .304 is only' slightly deeper than the thickness of the collar302.

It will be noted, referring to Fig, 2, that the.

line of pull of the treadlerod 360jis relatively closefto the axi's ofthe pin [98.5 Accordingly,

(Fig, 3) which, as illustrated in Figs. 19, 20 and 21, are obliquelydisposed upon the cylindrical surface which constitutes the periphery ofthe feed wheel. Each of the teeth 368 hasasharp edge or ridge 316whichhas the forml of a convex curve extending lengthwise of the toothand rising fromthe surface of the periphery of the feed wheel. Thelateral surfaces-breach tooth are generated by a pair of elementsf312and 314,

respectively, which pass through the .edge' 310, each element beingmaintained substantially parallel to its original position. The form oftooth above described, havi'ng a'sharp edge 310, is employed inoperations. upon leather soles, the presser foot i6 bearing down uponthe soles with sufficient force to cause the feed teeth to cut into thesurface of the leatherto' their full depth. For operating upon rubbersoles a somewhat different form of tooth 316 illustrated in FigsL 22, 23and 24 is preferable. The teeth 316. are likewise inclined to theelements of the cylindrical' surface which constitutes the periphery or"the wheel M. Each of the teeth 316 has an edge pressed agai'nstthe feedwheel with 'sufiicient force to cause the teeth 316 to become partiallyembeddedin the rubber. The edges 318, however;

or ridge Sis which .extends entirely across the. periphery of the 'feedwheel. The edge 318 is a' slightly convex curve and the tooth isgenerated by a pairof curved elements 380and 382 which' intersect in theedge 318. The rubber soles-are are not sharp enough to cut'into therubber.

V A third form of. tooth, indicated by the refer V encechara'cter 385i,is illustrated inFigs.- 25; 26 and 27. The base of thisitooth f is an:oblique resulting from the the tooth 384 is approximately like 7inj'the; material to their fulldepth,

convex ridge 31.8.

parallelogram (disregarding the curvature of the periphery of the feedwheel, which isnegligible over the area of'a single tooth), consistingof two parallel short sides 386 and'two parallel long. sides, one ofwhich is indicated'by the reference" numeral 388. This tooth has .aridge390 which is parallel to and equidistant from the long sides 388 of thebase. The lateral faces, which are included between the ridge 390 andthe sides 7 388 are substantially plane. The ridge 390 is shorter thanthe sides 388; and the end faces ofthetoothgwhich are triangular, lie inplanes which slope upwardly toward each other from the short sides 386and at equal angles to the plane of the base. .The intersections of theend faces with the lateral faces-form edges, and

those edges which extend from the ends of the ridge 398 to the acutecorners respectively of the parallelogram of the base constitute.ineffectcontinuations of the ridge 390 and are designated by thereferencecharacter 392. Theparal lelogram of the base is disposed :upothe pcriphery of the feed .wheel with the sides 388 e V inclined to theelements of the cylindrical sur face of the feed wheel; the longdiagonal is similarlyinclined, but to a less extent." The tooth 384,like the tooth 368, doesnot extend to either edge of the periphery ofthe feed wheel The tooth 384 is an alternative to the tooth 368, andoperates in the same way upon leather soles.'

All of the feed teeth above described arefas' upon'the periphery of thefeed wheel. This 'has already been mentioned, obliquely disposedobliquity of the feed teeth causes them to exert upon the'sole athrustwhi'ch is transverse to the direction of feed, urging thesole'again'st the edge gage,-and' relieving the operator of havingto'hold thesole against the'edgegage. The sole canthus be leftto itselfand .will'remain in contact with the. edge gage as it is fed,'turnin'gaccording to thevarious curves in its outline; The pressure of theworkagainst the'edgegage inclination of. the feed teeth notonlymaintains the; Work in' gaged relation to the operating tools but also;since the'edge gage is a driven roll the edge gage to assist ingfeedi'ngthe work.

with a knurled edge,.en"ables' When a sole as it is being fed is turnedin accordance with the curvature of its outline, the:

turning movement will give rise to components of motion which arelengthwise relatively to the feed teeth. Such components'are especiallypro "nounced at ,the sharplycurve'd toe end of the sole. The tooth 368is shaped-to facilitate 'such rn only is adapted to relative pivotalmovement, but will cut, into the leather as relative endwisemovementtakes place, without gouging tearing the fibers of the material and witha -minimum of resistance .to the relative'movement. 'I'hetooth 384 winbehave in thesame way. It"

movement. The convex ridge 310 not the sole or willbe noted that theridge 390,. together withthe edges 392, is similar to Asalready'mentioned, the teeth .316 are different inthat they are moreblunt and are not intended" the ridge: 310; and that 5 Q the 6006113368.

tocut into ,the'material; they are not embedded and they ex'- tendcompletely across; the periphery of the feed I wheel. The 1 teeth "316,however, resemble the the pe pheryof the feed wheel and in having a The:end portionsof the teeth 316j-fare not embedded in theqm'at'erial. man 7appreciable extent, and the convexity' of the'ridge 0'. T teeth 368 and384 in being obliquely disposed upon 378 will accommodate relativelongitudinal move-v ment of the work without any gouging of the materialby the end portions of the teeth. It is apparent that all three forms ofteeth will offer a minimum of resistance to the turning of the sole andavoid damaging the sole when it turns.

To start the machine the operator depresses the treadle is, latching itdown, which couples the power drive of the machine to the feed wheel andcauses the sole to be fed in operative engagement with the channelingand grooving knives. The depth of the channel is controlled by the edgegage roll it. In many types of work where the depth of the channel is tobe increased at the shank portion of the shoe the operator depresses thetreadle ltd which moves the edge gage roll inwardly and therebyincreases the depth of the channel. When the stitch-receiving groove isto be discontinued, the operator depresses the treadle 362 holding itdown until the work has been fed to a point where the groove is to beresumed. In certain cases it is desirable that thework be fed slowly andin such cases the operator may release the treadle 66, therebydisconnecting the driving clutch, and turn the wheel as by hand. Theoperator often finds it convenient to control the speed of the feedwheel by grasping the rim 35 and permitting it to slip through hisfingers at the desired speed, without resort to the treadle i i.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A sole fitting machine comprising a lower frame, sole-supporting andfeeding means on said lower frame, an upper frame, a head supported onsaid upper frame for movement toward and from said supporting andfeeding means, an operating tool on said head, means for urging saidhead toward said supporting and feeding means, a presser foot carried bysaid head for supporting said head against said urging means inaccordance with the thickness of the work, and means for securing saidupper frame fixedly upon said lower frame in a desired position ofadjustment transversely of the direction in which the work is fed.

2. A sole fitting machine comprising a lower frame, sole-supporting andfeeding means on said lower frame, an upper frame, a head supported onsaid upper frame for movement toward and from said supporting andfeeding means, an operating tool on said head, means for urging saidhead toward said supporting and feeding means, a presser foot carried bysaid head for supporting said head against said urging means inaccordance with the thickness of the work, means for adjusting saidupper frame relatively to said lower frame in a direction transverse tothe direction in which the work is fed, and means for securing saidupper frame upon said lower frame in adjusted position, said adjustingmeans being constructed and arranged to insure replacement of said upperframe in a position of previous adjustment after removal from said lowerframe.

3. In a sole fitting machine, a frame, a head movably carried by saidframe, an operating tool mounted in said head, a lever fulcrumed on saidframe, a spring acting on said lever, and a strut interposed betweensaid lever and said head for transmitting the thrust of said spring fromsaid lever to said head to urge said head to a desired operatingposition, said lever and said head having recesses to accommodate theends respectively of said strut.

4. In a sole fitting machine, a frame, a head movably carried by saidframe, a channeling knife mounted in said head, a presser foot mountedin said head, a work support, a lever fulcrumed in said frame, a headedscrew threaded into said 7 frame, a compression spring interposedbetween the head of said screw and said lever, and means fortransmitting the thrust of said spring from said lever into said head tourge the presser foot against a work piece on said work support, saidscrew serving as a means of adjusting the compression of said spring.

5. A sole fitting machine comprising a tool for operating upon a sole, afeed wheel for supporting the sole and feeding the sole past said tool,a driven shaft upon which said feed wheel is mounted, an edge gage forpositioning the sole relatively to said tool, a spring urging said edgegage to a stop position, means for retracting said edge gage from saidstop position against the force of said spring to vary the position ofthe sole relatively to the tool, a spring for urging said feed wheel toa stop position, and connections to said edge gage and said feed wheelconstructed and arranged to retract said feed wheel from its stopposition in unison with said edge gage.

6. In a sole fitting machine, a tool for operating upon a sole, a drivenfeed wheel for feeding the sole relatively to said tool, a head uponwhich said tool is mounted with provision for movement of said toolrelatively to said head in a direction toward and from said roll, apivotal support for said head having its axis substantially parallel tothe axis of said feed roll to provide for yielding movement of said headaway from said feed roll to accommodate the thickness of the work, alever fulcrumed upon said head for controlling the movement of theoperating tool relatively to the head, and an operating rod for saidlever, said operating rod having its line of pull relatively close tothe axis of said pivotal support to avoid transmitting movement to saidhead.

'7. In a machine for operating upon shoe parts or like articles, a feedwheel having elongated feed teeth disposed obliquely upon its periphery,each of said feed teeth being relatively high at a localitysubstantially midway between its ends, and the height of each tooth, inthe localities adjacent to the ends of the tooth, diminishing toward theadjacent end.

8. In a machine for operating upon shoe parts or like articles, a feedwheel having elongated teeth extending from its periphery, each of saidteeth having a ridge which extends lengthwise of the tooth and which isconvex in longitudinal section, the end portions of which ridge arelower, with respect to the periphery of the wheel, than the intermediateportion.

9. In a machine for operating upon shoe parts or like articles, a feedwheel having teeth which extend obliquely with respect to their path ofmovement, each of said teeth having a ridge which extends lengthwise ofthe tooth and which is convex in longitudinal section, the end portionsof which ridge are lower, with respect to the periphery of the wheel,than the intermediate portion.

10. In a machine for operating upon shoe parts or like articles, a feedwheel having obliquely disposed teeth upon its periphery, each of saidteeth having a sharp ridge which emerges at each end of the tooth fromthe peripheral surface of the wheel, said ridge being convexly roundedfrom one end of the tooth to the other end.

11. In a channeling machine, a grooving knife, a carrier for said knife,a block having an arcuate guide in which said carrier is 'adjustablvseoured, the axis of said arcuate guide passing through the localityoccupied by the cutting end I of said knife, whereby the adjustment ofthe carrier in said arcuate guideway will not affect the cutting end ofthe knife.

12. In a channeling machine, a grooving knife,

in which the first-mentioned block is a-djustab1y 15 secured, the axisof said arcuate guide passing through the locality occupied by thecutting end 7 of said knife, whereby the adjustment of thefirstmentioned block in said arcuate guideway will not affect theposition of the cutting end of the knife. Y

14. In a sole fitting machine, a frame, a feed wheel mounted on-saidframe, ahead constructed and arranged to carry an operating tool, apivotal support upon which said headis mounted for swinging movementtoward and from said feed Wheel about an axis parallel to the axis ofsaid; I

feed wheel, a lever mountedon said, frame for 'pivotal movement about anaxis transverse to the axis of saidpivotal support, a connection betweensaid lever and saidheadand resilient means 'acting through said leverand said connection to' urge said head toward said feed-wheel.

NORWOOD H. KNQWLTON.

